Lord Nick's Folly by Emily Hendrickson Page B

downstairs late that night, Milburn expressed no desire to see Miss Herbert again, leaving the nursing and care up to the others. "Although, dear chap, I wonder at your sitting with her so often. Is it the done thing? For a gentleman to enter the bedroom of a young lady?"
    "I have known her forever, Milburn. I cannot see that it presents a problem. Besides . . . who would spread the tale abroad?" Nick shot a meaningful look at the man who had almost killed Nympha. It was inadvertent, true, but that did not mean Nick had to like the fellow.
    "True, true. I meant nothing by the remark I assure you. I will be as mute as a fish. But on occasion servants do talk. I imagine the Duke of Portland's and Manver's servants occasionally meet these servants. Were the Coxmoor people to chat, tell about the near disaster . . . well . . ." Milburn's voice trailed off.
    Nick stared at him, and Milburn backed off.
    "Just wanted to point out a possible difficulty, old man." Milburn took another few steps backward.
    "Perhaps you can remove to your uncle's now?"
    "No, no, the old fellow cannot tolerate noise or company. I merely check on him as often as I can."
    Nick cynically wondered if Mrs. Coxmoor's food was better. He returned to the wing chair near the fireplace, plumped himself on the cushion, and proceeded to stare into the flames while wondering what could possibly happen next.
    The maids took care of Nympha during the night, although Mrs. Coxmoor rose once to look in on her. Nick had been unable to sleep until he also checked to see how she fared.
    Odd how she had established such a place in his life. At first he had thought her a dratted nuisance, and he did not like her attraction to his brother. He wondered if she still nurtured a tendre for him. From little things she had dropped, he rather believed she had put that infatuation behind her. He hoped so.
    First thing in the morning Nick made it a point to check on Nympha. He rapped lightly on the door, which was promptly opened by Annie.
    "How is she?" Nick peered around the maid. He was overjoyed when his gaze met Nympha's bright blue eyes.
    "Mrs. Coxmoor, she says as how you can come in, but only for a few minutes," the maid said with the air of one who has memorized a message.
    Nick ignored Annie. He rapidly crossed the room to the bed.
    "Before you can ask, I am better." Nympha gave him a cross look. "My head aches some. I should like to know how that ball hit me when I sat on the sidelines." Nick thought that were she able to be up, she would be tapping her foot in annoyance, her arms folded before her.
    "I cannot say," Nick answered candidly. "I cannot believe he intended to do you any harm. I have seen tennis balls go every which direction." They hadn't gone with the deadly speed of this particular ball, but what did he know about stray balls?
    "Oh, yes, I remember. You belong to a tennis club in London and you play golf at home. What else do you do to occupy your time?" Although serious, her eyes held enough curiosity to please the vainest of men, although Nick was not a vain creature.
    "Archery, as I said before. Oh, I also like angling. I ride, but I am not much at hunting." He smiled at Nympha, glad to see her less pale, even if her forehead was a nasty purple, with hints of yellow and green. The lump had subsided quite a fair bit, to his satisfaction.
    "I think you are a man of the out-of-doors." She made that pronouncement as though it gave her pleasure to have a first opinion justified.
    "You might say that. When you are feeling more the thing, what say we go to that Roman ruin site? I should think it would be a gentle excursion. Dr. Graham said you could have a quiet outing. I should think that exploring the past would be peaceful."
    He reached out to pick up her nearest hand. "You had us all very worried." All? Dash it, he had been beside himself with fear and dread. And he had wanted to crown Milburn, and not with a tiara.
    "I am sorry you were all so worried. Papa